Millennium Management LLC Has $16.51 Million Stake in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)

Millennium Management LLC raised its position in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Free Report) by 20.5% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 272,130 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock after buying an additional 46,216 shares during the period. Millennium Management LLC owned approximately 0.30% of National Fuel Gas worth $16,513,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in NFG. Barclays PLC boosted its position in National Fuel Gas by 243.7% in the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 102,672 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $6,223,000 after buying an additional 72,802 shares during the last quarter. UMB Bank n.a. boosted its position in National Fuel Gas by 82.9% in the 4th quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 481 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 218 shares during the last quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC raised its stake in shares of National Fuel Gas by 13.8% in the 4th quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC now owns 5,519 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $335,000 after purchasing an additional 670 shares in the last quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC raised its stake in shares of National Fuel Gas by 1.7% in the 4th quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 26,019 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $1,579,000 after purchasing an additional 429 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Fifth Third Bancorp raised its stake in shares of National Fuel Gas by 5.8% in the 4th quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 5,894 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $358,000 after purchasing an additional 322 shares in the last quarter. 73.96% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

National Fuel Gas Price Performance

NYSE:NFG traded up $1.92 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $82.47. 480,329 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 560,759. The business's 50-day simple moving average is $78.67 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $70.78. National Fuel Gas has a 12 month low of $53.03 and a 12 month high of $83.35. The company has a quick ratio of 0.33, a current ratio of 0.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80. The company has a market capitalization of $7.45 billion, a P/E ratio of -589.04 and a beta of 0.61.

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 30th. The oil and gas producer reported $2.39 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.18 by $0.21. National Fuel Gas had a negative net margin of 0.53% and a positive return on equity of 15.96%. The firm had revenue of $729.95 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $770.81 million. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.79 EPS. The company's revenue was up 15.9% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts expect that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 EPS for the current fiscal year.

National Fuel Gas Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 31st were given a $0.515 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 31st. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.50%. National Fuel Gas's payout ratio is 479.07%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on NFG shares. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of National Fuel Gas from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of National Fuel Gas from $77.00 to $81.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Thursday, March 13th. Finally, Bank of America increased their price objective on shares of National Fuel Gas from $77.00 to $85.00 and gave the company an "underperform" rating in a report on Friday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating, one has assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, National Fuel Gas has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $82.33.

National Fuel Gas Profile

National Fuel Gas Company operates as a diversified energy company. It operates through four segments: Exploration and Production, Pipeline and Storage, Gathering, and Utility. The Exploration and Production segment explores for, develops, and produces natural gas and oil. The Pipeline and Storage segment provides interstate natural gas transportation services through an integrated gas pipeline system in Pennsylvania and New York; and owns and operates underground natural gas storage fields.